Television still has not been eclipsed by the internet, and mobile TV proves it. Watching your favorite television programs and news outlets on a mobile device has been a standard in many first-world countries with the latest in gadgetry and technology, and can even be integrated with other, existing devices like smartphones and tablets.
You can watch your favorite movies via xmltv channel list tonight on your favorite devices like a laptop and PC is also very possible with the use of an integrated player that uses 3rd party APIs and apps on a website. 
Mobile TV has taken many shapes and forms since it has been found to be possible.
From integration in cell phones, smartphones, tablets, and computers to full-fledged devices made specifically for watching TV on the go, people now have the freedom to choose their method of watching TV while riding on the bus or taking a break in a busy workplace. Whatever your preference for mobile television is, there is probably a unique device for you.
History of Portable Television
Ever since the first televisions were invented, people have been finding ways to make watching TV possible while on the go. A newfound obsession with television programs and shows has taken the world by storm, creating a new sub-culture that thrives on things that appear on television. This culture also drove the want and need for a more mobile television.
One of the very first mobile TVs was the MTV-1, a pocket-sized television that had a 2-inch CRT screen and built-in amenities like an antenna, controls, as well as the ability to pick up signals in different regions, states, and countries. This mobile TV sold for around $400 in the United States and took over 10 years to develop by the government of the United Kingdom.
Fast-forwarding to today, mobile phones capable of 3G connections are the primary means of watching mobile TV. This 3G feature first appeared in mobile phones in South Korea, and shortly took the rest of the technologically advanced Asian countries by storm. Europe and other Western countries were quick to pick up on this new advancement in mobile TV technology, soon helping the world keep track of their favorite TV shows no matter where they are.
Mobile TV Devices
The convenience and portability of devices capable of mobile TV make them a real hit with TV enthusiasts wanting to keep track of their favorite programs and shows.
Today, many dedicated mobile TV devices, as well as apps for smartphones and tablets for people who prefer to consolidate many kinds of functions into one device. The possibilities are vast and wide for people who are looking to get into mobile TV.
Older cellular phones have been capable of mobile TV for a long time. Some of these older cellular phones which have also been available in third-world countries might also have built-in antennas that can be extended from the phone, or be integrated into the internal workings of the phone itself. Phones like these can easily be had on eBay or other online auction and shopping websites for affordable prices.
People who prefer to consolidate many functions into one device have also flocked to modern smartphones of today. Capable of applications that turn the phone into a guitar tuner, video player, and even a gaming device, apps have also been developed in order to enable the user to watch television on the smartphone. Popular smartphones that run the Android operating system, as well as the iPhone and iPad now have apps that enable them for mobile TV.
Android phones in particular can be enabled for mobile TV through the same means as other apps. Downloading the proper mobile TV app like the TV Guide Mobile has many more features than just changing channels and adjusting the volume: bookmarking channels, adding favorites, as well as mobile hot lists and breaking news reports as they happen. This app is also available for the iPhone and iPad. Other apps made exclusively for mobile TV on the iPhone and iPad are also available, like the Comcast myDVR app. While also a flexible e-mail, voice mail, and organizer app, this Comcast myDVR app also has many features that make it a great companion for the mobile TV enthusiast, including the ability to bookmark channels, as well as schedule the recording of your favorite programs on a compatible device at home.
The Future of Mobile TV
In fact, these smartphone-compatible apps for mobile TV may even become a standard for some cellular network providers. The recent switch to a digital signal by many popular TV networks like CBS, NBC, and PBS makes transferring a TV signal to a mobile device like a smartphone much easier, so partnerships between mobile providers and TV networks may help bring mobile TV to your favorite smartphone and tablet.
This future is slowly becoming a reality as major wireless operators like AT&T and Verizon Wireless now include standard or optional mobile TV packages for customers.
These packages can range from around $10 to $15 per month and include services like pay-per-view and on-demand programming as well as regular scheduled TV, with additional mobile-only content being made available for some subscribers.
Dedicated mobile TV devices are also a possibility, but face an uncertain future that can either build from the success or be completely eclipsed by the internet.
Many people still, however, find much enjoyment from their favorite programs and shows no matter what is the source, so a unique mobile TV device will be able to find some success with customers.
